Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lewiston, ME: $149,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lewiston, ME earns a median $149,023/year (≈ $71.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $149,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Lewiston, ME, is projected at a median of $149,023 for 2026. While this figure is slightly below the national median of $151,886, it represents an effective compensation package that can be enhanced by extensive hours that controllers often work. With a salary range spanning from $86,434 at the 10th percentile to $209,652 at the 90th percentile, controllers in the region can significantly benefit from overtime shifts often required due to chronic understaffing. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, presenting a detailed picture of compensation dynamics unique to Lewiston's air traffic control environment.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,434 | $41.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,296 | $51.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,023 | $71.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,032 | $90.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,652 | $100.80 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,218 (2026 est.). At $149,023, the local median is 1.88% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be above the median
How Lewiston Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $149,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $151,292 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.88% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $149,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Maine state average of $151,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $149,023 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,621 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,672
2025 BLS Actual
$145,289
2026 Current Est.
$149,023
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,672 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,289 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,853 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,672 (2019) to $145,289 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,853 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,181 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,434 – $107,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,296 – $149,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,023 – $189,032 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,032 – $209,652 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Lewiston
The local job market in Lewiston employs seven air traffic controllers, a small yet committed group that faces the realities of cost-of-living adjustments with a CoL index of 99.6. This slight deviation from the national average means that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power in the area can be similar to or slightly less than larger markets. Among potential employers, FAA en route centers typically offer higher salaries compared to terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities or airport traffic control towers, which rank lower in the facility tier system. Factors such as certification status, shift differentials, and substantial mandatory overtime contribute to the noticeable pay spread in this field. Controllers looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Lewiston ME should consider targeting en route facilities, seeking CPC certification, and actively pursuing opportunities for overtime to enhance their overall earnings.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $145,289 for air traffic controllersin the Lewiston metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lewiston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov